St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1887-12-19

ticipated. Twelve years ago, while
dealing extensively in cattle, wrote the
Macon, Mo-, correspondent of the Globe
Democrat, Frank made a trip to Avon.
ILL.,, and there sought lodging at the Re-
we're house, now burned. 1t was late in
the evening when he arrived, and ac-
cOmmOdatiOnS were limited. The land
but one vacant room, and this
deserted one. believed by
those familiar with the place to be
haunted. If this would suit cot could
be fixed up for the guest. This being
the only chance, Strong accepted the
situation, and in the bare room, deSti-
tute of furniture, mattress and blank
cts were provided. While these ar
rangementS were being made the host
explained that some years before two
men had sought lodging in the house,
and occupied this room. In the middle
of the night pistol shot was heard, and
those who had rushed to the spot had
discovered one of the two companions
neither of whose names was ever known
lying dead on the floor with bullet
in his heart. The murderer had escaped
by the window. The cause of the
t,ouble was explained by pack of cards
ying scattered or the floor, together
with some loose coin which was found
on the table where they had been play
ing. A quarrel between two gamblers
over their game had resulted i'll trag-
edy. Since then the COST of the MUIR
cered man. sometimes in company with
other spooks, was said to nightly visit
I the room.
Nothing daunted by the tale, Strong
blew. out his light and retired. Some
time during the night he awOke and
saw two ghostly forms seated on the
floor playing cards by the pale moon
light which Streamed through the win
dow. p, For few moments he watched
Them. then his delight in the game be-
ing played overcame all other consider
,otions. and he jumped up from his mat
Itress and asked if he might have hand.
Not a word was spoken by the two fig
,ureS in white, but one of them silently
dealt,a hand to the Stockman, who had
auGaeiously curled himself up on the
floor between the ghostly gamesters,
having not even waited to dress himself.
The game was poker, and for time the
ante was low. Both pale spirits APP
peared well supplied with money, in
bills, and silver.
Without the exchange of word the
game progressed. :. Finally Strong laid
down as his ante tive-dOlar bill. All
drew. and StrOng'S bet of $50 was raised
by each until 1920 lay on the floor. On
a hand of four tens Strong won.
Neither of the mysterious individuals
was scientific player, and in the course
of few hours the lone martial managed
to run in several successful bluffs. For
two hours the game had progressed,
when at the growing of barnyard fowl
both the white-rObed perSOnageS arose,
startled. and sadly withdrew. The
manner of their egresS from the apart
ment. Strong declares. is yet mystery,
as no aperture larger than the keyhOle
existed String took pull of brandy
to quiet his nerves and counted over
his winnings, which slightly exceeded
$500. Then. looking carefully to his re-
volver, he placed the money under his
pillow and again retired, sleeping
soundly until awakened by the land
lords rap. TO the latter's inquiry
whether he had been disturbed by spir-
its. he replied that nothing unusual had
happened. The occurrence, Frank said
in conclusion, he regarded as warning
that dsembOdied spirits ought never
to tackle an ablebOdied stock dealer in
a game of poker. AS to the genuine
ness of the money he had won, all
doubt was dispelled when on his reach
ing st. Louis it served to purchase
week of full-blOwn enjoyment.